All About Chimes!
Chimeleons (or "Chimes" for short) are named for the creatures "Chimeras" combined with "Chameleons." By nature they're mammalian, approximately 50-80 pounds heavy, and can be compared to a lean, large dog in size. They have magic in their blood, which facilitates their unique ability to generationally pass on copied traits from plants, other animals, and even non-living things!
The mascot, Herakles, was born with traits like Ankle Ruffs, and Serpent Tail, though his parents each had 8 trait slots they could have passed on.
It's a bit random which traits come through in each generation! Some might have a stronger chance than others, but we don't really know... Hey! I bet with more contacts we can unravel that mystery! What we DO know is that
whenever a Chimeleon discovers the essence of a trait in its environment, it becomes "unlocked" in their DNA, giving their kits a chance to display or simply carry it! For this reason, Chimes are prrrrretty obsessed with discovering and logging as much variety into their genes as possible! For some it's about survival and adaption, but for others it's just a compulsion to fulfill that magical itch to "learn and log."
Chimes know which traits are in their personal DNA when they learn it themselves (such as through questing), or if they were born with the trait visible, but if it's something hidden under the surface from generations past,
it will be unknown to them. Because of that, ActualWoodelf, the chief contact, keeps
detailed records of all unlocked traits for a Chime as well as all traits the community has discovered so far in a database.
A quick note on gender:
all Chimes can breed with all other unrelated Chimes as they're all technically the same sex. A Chimeleon you take in or that's born to yours could use whatever pronouns they tell you they want [read: you can pick].
You can name them too, and choose whatever (if any) personality info you want to share. You can even RP with them, as long as you link back here!
You're also welcome to determine
if your Chime is disabled, if you'd like. This can be noted in their description, and if you want, you can message ActualWoodelf or post on the thread, so that
we can provide any accessibility aid items as soon as we know someone could use them. As long as we can reasonably make it, it will be provided free of charge."
Two dried Dream Flasks is the most that two Chimes should share for one breeding (or it could make them very sick, since it's extremely rich and pungent), but if they do eat two, the litter could be as big as 5, and is guaranteed to include at least 2 kits!
might be more costly, but it provides a litter of 1-5, and the promise that if both parents focus their intent into one (1) known and unlocked trait which either has in their DNA log, then at least one kit will visibly have that trait!
